How Crazy Is This? French Politics

HDPM · #1 08-18-2003, 04:22 PM

Check this link out. web page

I mean really. It is hot so the government minister of something steps down? WTF? Of course they live in a country with mandatory incompetence and inefficiency (35 hr. workweek) and a slew of socialist garbage. But a lot of the deaths were geezers left at home by vacationing relatives. How is that any of the govt's business? I think they need a ministry of weather so they can legislate lower temperatures. They are arrogant enough to try. [img]/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]

Cyrus · #2 08-18-2003, 05:13 PM

You can't understand that, until you actually experience it. An army could invade the country and nobody would notice until September.

Zeno · #3 08-19-2003, 02:48 AM

Correct me if I'm wrong Cyrus, but isn't August the traditional "Holiday" month for much of Europe? Almost everyone is off going into each others countries and causing traffic jams, beaches are jammed, hotels are jammed, restaurants are jammed, whore houses are jammed etc. Not the time to visit Europe.

An army could invade France any time of the year and nobody would notice. The reason nobody invades is that France is so unimportant. I have been to France, and was only impressed by the amount of filth it contained. I know there are charming portions to the country but France is the least appealing country I’ve ever visited.

-Zeno

Cyrus · #4 08-19-2003, 01:36 PM

"Isn't August the traditional "Holiday" month for much of Europe? Almost everyone is off going into each other's countries."

But that would mean that each country would still be full! [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Yes, Europe shuts down too. What happens is that France shuts down more than any other country. And every Frenchy worth his subsidies heads for the beaches!
(That rules out a beach landing by the invaders.)

"I have been to France, and was only impressed by the amount of filth it contained. I know there are charming portions to the country but France is the least appealing country I've ever visited."

Well, the countryside must be lived to be appreciated. I haven't so I don't know. But the South of France, Nice and the rest? They are brilliant, especially now that the more rowdy element heads for Ibiza or Malia. And Paris? I will have no arguments against Paris, dogshit an' all.

Boris · #5 08-19-2003, 01:53 PM

I know its fashionable to bash the French but they really aren't that bad. At least if you exclude the politicians. The only high concentration of jerks is in touristy sections of Paris. But you could say that about most big cities.

They cleaned up the doggy doo in Paris a long time ago. you can say it's filthy but I think Zeno is overstating the case. One nice thing is that you can walk through any of the arrondisements in Paris at any time of the day or night with little fear of getting jacked. I like place but it's expensive.

I spent 3 months in Burgundy making wine. beautiful place. great wine (not that I'm an expert). lots of alcoholics. The south of France is best enjoyed on a bicycle, IMO. If I ever go back it would be to do a bicycle tour.

Zeno · #6 08-19-2003, 07:06 PM

I spent the summer of 1980 in Europe. That was a while ago but not ancient history. Perhaps some things have gotten better in France. Some parts I visited were very charming and interesting; I managed to stay at Antibes (on the south coast) and really loved it, there is a small museum there with some of Picasso’s work in it. But some parts of the country and cites were very trashy and just ugly. But that can be said of any country I suppose. It is just fun to bash the French - American Tradition.

Interesting that you mention a bike tour. I am getting middle aged but am still crazy. I had a notion to try a bike tour of a part of Europe. I have a friend that lives in Paris and I was thinking of landing in Lisbon and biking up through Portugal, across northern Spain and then wandering into Paris. It’s a bit of a dream but I may do it someday, just because.

-Zeno

ACPlayer · #7 08-20-2003, 10:48 PM

I have been to France, and was only impressed by the amount of filth it contained

You clearly have not travelled much - I can think of many, many places that are worse than Paris (including quite a few in the US) -- which by the way is one of the greatest cities in the world. The French country side is beautiful too - head down to Provence or over towards Chamonix for some great destinations.

In Europe the least appealing city I have been to, is by far, Zurich.